KathieB Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Huh? How does the cornmeal thing work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Huh? How does the cornmeal thing work? Just get a box of cheap cornmeal and scatter a little around ant hills. They carry it back into the mound and it swells up when they eat it or when it gets wet and either way is deadly and disruptive for them. I was doubtful about it because Snopes and a few other places claim its effectiveness is a myth but it was worth a shot and it took care of my ant hills in Denver very nicely. It takes a little patience and several applications but you'll see a difference almost right away. And even tho squirrels love it and the greedy little buggers will stuff it into their mouths by the handful it didn't have any ill effects on them. I'm not sure if it makes a difference or not, but I'd wait for a day or two after I scattered it and then use the garden hose to flood the mounds. Usually after two or three times of that they'd disappear. I had a big bed of red ants under the concrete pad beside the patio in Denver that was close enough they were trying to come in the house and the cornmeal got rid of them so I tried it on the mounds out in the yard and that worked too. The fire ants here may be a little harder to eliminate so that's why I'm adding poison bait to the list but I bet the cornmeal will do a lot toward getting rid of them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Interesting. I like non-chemical solutions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 I am so sorry Gloria. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Tried a new grocery store today. I was happy to shop! I shaved like $70 off my bills. I spent a little more then a weeks worth and have at least 2 weeks in the house. WooHoo! Every little bit counts. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirlPiper Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Wow! Good job Heidi!Thanks to all for the kind thoughts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Well,my mammogram and ultrasound weren't very promising today. 'The Mass',as it is now being called (I liked 'lump' better,somehow. <_< ), is definitely suspicious for cancer. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound-guided biopsy Tuesday afternoon and will go back Wednesday for the result. if it is,well,you know,arrangements for treatment will begin immediately. I am so worried for my poor dear little mother,who was with me when they told me the result of the ultrasound test and broke out in big sobs. :teary: I will have to just stay positive-I have every darn intention of being around to sit on the floor and play with my future grandchildren! On a happy note,we later went to Hobby Lobby at my request and the fairy garden miniature stuff was 80% off! I went a little nuts,but when will I get a bargain like that again!? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Hugs Kat, many, many of them. Your GL family is here to help with whatever comes to each and every one of us and that includes YOU too !!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I think many of us have been through waiting for unknown results and worrying about them, so we are all sending the best wishes to you Kat and Heidi, and are here whatever the results are! Sent the kids and husband to his parents today so I can do some cleaning/decluttering. Problem is my feet hurt because they're not used to standing all day at work anymore, so don't really want to stand and clean Oh well, some things just need to be done regardless! I like thunder and lightning storms, but so very very rarely get them here in the UK, maybe one a year that I see. Well we've had three so far this year, and then there was last night. Lots of very loud thunder and strobe lighting like lightning, was cool! Then had torrential rain for a few hours this morning and regular rumbles of thunder and flashes. We're at the top of a mile long hill, so no risk of flooding. Pictures from Thursday 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Those rainbows are so beautiful. I love thunderstorms as well. The air seems to feel cleansed afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chapchap73 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Oh Kat, you'll have to make do with virtual hugs :hug: :hug: :hug: Needle biopsies are not the most fun, but also not the worst. I have had several for masses, node, nodules, lumps mostly on my thyroid. Lots of prayers being said for you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Oh Kat, you'll have to make do with virtual hugs :hug: :hug: :hug: Needle biopsies are not the most fun, but also not the worst. I have had several for masses, node, nodules, lumps mostly on my thyroid. Lots of prayers being said for you. <nodding in agreement> I've had so many biopsy scares with my thyroid and my breasts and one lung and a kidney and all turned out to be "lumpitis".......cysts mainly. Biopsies are scarier to think about then they are when they're actually happening so don't let the idea of the needle freak you out. IMO, mammograms hurt a LOT more than a biopsy. The best advice I can give anyone having a biopsy is to use deep breathing/controlled breathing and you won't even notice the needle. The techs are usually pretty good about helping patients feel calmer too. It's the doctors who put us thru all these scary moments who need to learn a better way of explaining these things instead of tossing out the words "mass" and "biopsy" like it's something you hear every day. Sending you lots of positive thoughts that it goes smoothly and isn't serious. Heidi, I'm SO impressed with your shopping skills! That's the kind of awesome savings that deserves a happy dance at the cash register. <grinning> You did, didn't you? LOL!!! Muriel, thank you soooooooooo much for posting those pictures. I'm a storm junkie too and can't get enough of lightning and thunder. It's the nitrogen that the lightning releases into the air that makes it smell so good and then when the rains come, it smells even better. Selkie, I'm glad that's a fragrance that you can enjoy! I'm back in the kitchen today making burrito filling for a pot luck that Bruce has at work tomorrow. I intended to make pulled pork but when we got to the grocery store yesterday, the pork shoulder section was empty. I thought about it for a minute and went with Plan B. I sent Bruce back to get flour tortillas while I ransacked the beef section and found a couple of nice roasts that will make enough for 18 people, then ran off to get the rest of the ingredients, hoping that my brain would remember it all. There are perks to having "back up" recipes stored in one's brain for times like these. LOL!! You "kitchen scientists" might like this recipe too. I'll put it into a separate post. Anyway, after over-doing it so much yesterday I'm not planning anything today except for tossing stuff into the crock pot and letting it do most of the work. I need to finish filling out the new-patient paperwork for the hand surgeon on Monday but that's the only thing on my to do list for today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Thanx so much for the well wishes and experienced advice,Sarah and Deb. It's a comfort to know others who have been through it and GOT through it! I'm not really scared of the needle itself at all,as I am one of those weirdos who needs to watch it go in when I have an injection or blood drawn or when I donate blood. That's one reason I dislike the dentist-I can't see what they are doing to me!lol I guess I will see if I will be able to watch this happening-? Maybe they will turn the monitor so I can see the ultrasound image as they go in... I am scared of the fact they basically said it doesn't appear to be a cyst,as far as they can tell so far. They mentioned that there would be a small cut,if I understood right. They will numb me with Xylocaine,I believe they said(?),so I won't have any pain. They will also slip a tiny marker inside me so that if it isn't something bad,future mammos will show that the spot's already been checked out,and if I have to go through chemo,the marker will be there if surgery has to be done. I know they probably tell everyone all this info,but it scares the begeezer's outta ya! I think I was in shock for most of the conversation after they said it's suspicious for cancer. I just knew I was overreacting about lumpy breasts or something and they'd have a big laugh at my hyperchondria and send me on my way... Well,meantime,I'm gonna go take another long look at the little fairy garden wire furniture goodies I got at Hobby Lobby after the tests yesterday. I spent about $24 on stuff that would have been about $120 full price. I shouldn't have,but it was $ I've been saving up for something mini-didn't know I'd get a bunch of mini things for that amount. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 This is another recipe for those of you who like to experiment in the kitchen because you can modify it in so many ways as well as use it for several different dishes. But it's easy to make so even if you don't like to cook, it's simple to do and people will think you slaved over it. The original recipe was a medium beef roast with half a jar of salsa poured over it and a can of refried beans spread over the top, then let it cook till the beef falls apart and stir it up really well. That's an okay recipe altho I found that it came out a bit soupy that way and the flavor wasn't as good as it could be since the beans cooked down to nothing. So I made some changes and this is what I ended up with. I make it three different ways so I'll include the options for all three. Deb's Mexican Beef and Bean Stuff Start with a large beef roast........your choice of cut. Since it's going to cook with tomatoes on top, the acid will tenderize the meat so I usually go with whatever is on sale. Trim off the excess fat and whack it a few times with a meat hammer if it makes you feel better. Then fling it into the crockpot. I have a 5 quart oval crockpot and my definition of a large roast is one that fills the bottom and is about two or three inches thick. Pour half to 3/4 of a can of Old El Paso mild enchilada sauce and a can of mild diced green chilies over the roast. *Alternatives:* Instead of enchilada sauce you can use either thick salsa (not picante because it's too soupy) OR a can of diced fire roasted tomatoes and green chilies thoroughly drained. The reason all these options are mild is because they enhance the flavor of the beef so you taste it rather than hot peppers. Any of the three options will soak directly into the beef and infuse the tomato and green chili flavor in a delightful way. You can add hot sauce or peppers or guacamole to your finished dishes for zip but you want the meat mixture flavor to stand alone. Let it cook like that on medium heat for around four to six hours. The roast will be mostly done by then so drain off the liquid and pull the beef apart with two forks, removing any extra fat or gristle. Dump in one or two cans of refried beans (depending on how much you want to stretch the recipe) and give it a good stirring, adding a little more enchilada sauce or salsa if it seems a bit dry. If the flavor needs a little extra something, I'll sometimes add a couple teaspoons of Old El Paso taco seasoning mix to it. Turn the crock pot down to low and let it cook for a couple more hours and it's done. Serving suggestions: Spread on tostada shells and top with shredded cheese, lettuce and tomato, garnish with hot sauce or salsa and sour cream Dump a few spoonfuls onto a flour tortilla and sprinkle a generous portion of shredded cheddar cheese before rolling up into burritos. For chimichangas, roll as for a burrito but secure the ends of the tortilla with toothpicks and drop it into hot oil till the outside is golden brown and flaky. For smothered burritos, roll as for burritos, then place them into a baking dish that's been lightly sprayed with canola oil so they don't stick. Pop it into a 450 oven for about five or ten minutes so the tortillas get just a little crunchy on top (that keeps them from getting soggy under the sauce), then pour a can of Stokes Green Chili sauce over it and stick it back in the oven for another ten minutes. Serve with shredded lettuce, salsa and sour cream on top. A little drizzle of honey across the top is the perfect finishing touch. (These things are heaven on a plate. Be prepared for people asking..........well, begging.........for you to make them again and again.) If you have leftovers, make up a package of spanish rice (I like Knorr's best) and layer the cooked rice, beef and bean mixture and shredded cheddar in a greased or non-stick casserole dish and pop it into the oven or microwave until the cheese melts. Use your imagination and you can come up with all kinds of ways to use it, even over super nachos or in enchiladas. It's just good with anything and everything. Oh, and it freezes really well so if you make a big batch like I do, you can divide it into serving sizes right for your family and have a quick meal you can grab out of the freezer to microwave and be ready in just a few minutes. It's one of my favorite "go-to" recipes for things like pot lucks or company meals because it makes a lot with very little effort. Since Bruce's pot luck is later in the day I'll just put the meat mixture into a big bowl they can heat up in the microwave and send it along with a bunch of flour tortillas and a big bag of shredded cheddar so they can roll their own and nothing gets soggy. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparklepuppies Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Kat, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs your way. Deb, that sound delicious! I've added that to my list and will try it soon. I am so aggravated. I've talked about the renovation we have going on, but not sure I've mentioned why. It wasn't because we just wanted nice new and fancy. Our foundation was leaking, so 2 bedrooms and the bathroom were torn up in the process. In fact, all 3 rooms have decreased in size a bit. Well, we still have a spot in one of the rooms that is leaking. They've already been out once to check and "fix" it. But I noticed a few weeks ago that the drywall mud dust in that corner wasn't vacuuming up, so I put a piece of paper in the corner and held off any more wall repair. Well today I checked the paper, and it was very wet. Boo. So we have to deal with that again. On a brighter note, we bought the toilet and bathroom light fixture today, so the guy will come next week to finish the bathroom! Yay! And it was another big week for Lawson. He got contacts, and got accepted to another college, to which he has submitted his intent to enroll! Yay! Classes start in 5 weeks, so it's getting close. Anslee also is applying for another school and waiting on her acceptance, that school starts in 4 weeks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Sorry for you having the continued leaking trouble,Tracy,but what great news about your children! I hope Lawson has wonderful experiences at his chosen school and that Anslee is accepted soon! I know how proud you are. Thank you for your prayers! My younger son,who received his 4 year degree in Psychology last year,recently started a new job working for his county's mental health services. He's been too busy to chat until yesterday when he gave me a call after my tests. He's working with troubled children,which has been a dream of his since early high school. It's so great when our kids get where they want to be and are happy! Deb,I agree,that recipe sounds divine! I love using my crock pot-probably more than any of my kitchen gadgets. My favorite use is for dry beans,as I don't even have to soak them after washing them and they come out so good after cooking overnight. By the way,chimichangas sound delicious-will definitely try them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparklepuppies Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 That's awesome about your son Kat! I know you are proud! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Last day of four weeks vacation... Have had some great weeks with lots of progress to the real life sized house, this morning we finished of the walkway leading up to the front stairs which we demolished very early when we "got" the house in -10. We are slowly starting up working on the interior now, as in the loft area where we will have our bedroom, a small bathroom and storage area for clothes. http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php?app=gallery&album=6917 HUgs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Anna, that's looking gorgeous! What a lot of work to be done, but oh the results are so pretty! It must be hard to decide whether to work on your real life house or your dollhouses. Tracy, I'm sorry that you're having so many problems with getting that foundation problems fixed. Hopefully someone will come up with a permanent solution soon so you don't have to keep pulling your hair. I felt innovative this morning and figured out how to balance a big jug of weed killer on my walker so I could go out and spray weeds in the front yard. The monsoon rains are an immediate trigger for those things to pop up everywhere in the gravel and Bruce hasn't felt like doing anything recently so it fell to me to figure out how to kill the weeds before we get a nasty notice from the HOA. My wheels don't roll very well thru gravel but I made it and all the weeds are sprayed and will be dead by sunset. That's a relief because the last thing I want is a notice from the HOA. We got one this spring for having three weeds in the side yard so you get the idea of how aggressive they are on the subject.....which does annoy me considering that the house behind us has no landscaping in their backyard at all and somehow they get away with overlowing dumpsters with no lids, weeds by the millions, dirt without the slightest bit of gravel covering, and trash flying into neighboring yards ever time the wind blows. According to the HOA laws, even backyards are supposed to either have grass or gravel covering over every inch, no weeds, and at least three trees and three decorative bushes. I don't even want to talk about the huge enclosed trampoline that violates the "nothing over six feet tall" rule and the inflatable pool they just set up that's such a neon yellow that it can be seen from blocks away. Or the dog that howls all night. <chuckling> I shouldn't complain because except for that house and one beside it, every house in the neighborhood follows the HOA rules and make it a gorgeous place to live but there's always a couple of bad apples in the bunch. I just wanna know how they get away with it when I got a warning for three voluntary mesquites coming up in the side yard in the spring. LOL! Okay, enough of my whining. I'm off to go get the paperwork done for my appointment with the hand specialist tomorrow. In 24 short hours I'll get big ole injections of cortisone in both hands and be back on the road to using them they way they were intended to be used. And I'll stop dropping things. Did you know that dropping a full jar of pickles on a granite countertop will cause glass to explode over three rooms? Not to mention where all the pickle slices went to. I'll probably be finding petrified pickles three years from now. LOL! But I'm looking forward to getting the shots and reeeeeeally hope that he doesn't balk about doing it. Sooner or later they're going to force me to have the surgery by refusing to give me any more shots and I dread that day. This is my fifth or sixth round of injections so that time is getting closer.......but if they do it right an injection will last me almost a year so it can't be all bad. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Deb,I still don't know you well,having only been a member here a little over a year,so I don't know your whole health history as well as the other,older members. I know you've had a rough road,and have learned some of it from you relating it in your recent notes,though am not fully sure what all has happened,besides the stroke. But,my point: I am soooo amazed every time I read one of your notes-like today-at your proactiveness and determination to not let "what ails you" get you down for very long. I got a chuckle at the image of you out there with your walker,giving those ugly weeds their final drink! Good for you! I work as a caregiver for woman who is about 20 years older than me,who,although she does have lung issues and some minor issues in one hip that she broke years ago,she still doesn't have nearly as many limitations as she acts like she does. No heart disease,or diabetes,or hypertension,etc. She rarely complains of real pain anywhere-just the Goldilocks syndrome-everything is too cold,too hot,too hard,too soft,etc...It is so frustrating to see someone wasting her life doing absolutely nothing all day long seven days a week but sitting propped up on fluffed pillows in a motorized recliner chair,watching television and expecting to be catered to and waited on hand and foot like a princess. I do my job well,because I am a hired caregiver,after all. But it is so frustrating to have her refuse to walk (She can very well with a walker),or play cards,or do handwork,talk on the phone,or invite visitors over,etc. (We've tried suggesting it all.) She won't even come to the dinner table a few yards away from her chosen spot. She won't do her breathing exercises that would strengthen her lungs-"I can't",her favorite words... I guess my point is,I am so tired of being a party to someone wasting their life. Having this lump-whether it turns out good or bad-has reminded me how much time I have wasted on this client. My whole purpose is to aid the recovery of those I care for,or to help them when they can no longer do for themselves. I don't like to feel wasted on someone who has just decided she isn't going to do anything to help herself improve. I've been to her doctor appointments,I know her stats,etc. and everyone is puzzled at why she continues to just stay immobile and not be up and around with the walker,etc. Her family knows and they are the ones I think should consult with the doctors,but they just keep telling me and the other caregivers to try this or that...I guess I am just venting here,as my own family members have heard this all from me for months now... Getting back to the start,I am trying to say that I wish more people would keep trying to keep going,no matter their circumstances,and I really admire Deb for it! Thank you for you inspiration. Ed. I hope it goes without saying,I know how young you are,Deb,and wasn't comparing YOU to a 70 something woman-but I have just seen so many elderly women in worse shape than my client still going all out-including my little almost-80 mother,even with her bad knees and bad heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 My grandmother was much like your patient, Kat. When she died, I was astounded to find out she was only 66 years old. As a teenager, I thought she must be at least 85 or 90! People like that make me sad, very sad. I can feel your frustration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterfieldzoo Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Kathie, my grandmother was the same age! All I ever remember is her sitting in a chair watching her 'stories' and not able to do anything. My grandfather did it all. She always had some ailment. Kat, you sound like the kind of caregiver I enjoyed having. One who urges and helps and encourages. It means a lot. People who have the ability and don't push forward have more than just physical issues - they have control, domination and self pity issues. Deb, so glad I don't have an HOA. I have a weed issue going on in the front I need to get a handle on! I can't find a landscaper to do my sandstone wall and I fear I might have to do it myself. Which is pretty humorous as the stones are 75 lbs and I can lift about 30..... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacey6163 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Well I'm finally back at it started working on a Buttercup bashing it into a castle, Windshire Keep. I also pulled out my HBS contest kit and have decided what it will become so I am making progress. Glad to be building again 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Kat, I too am having a suspicious lump looked at tomorrow at 2pm. I also thought my gyno would do the breast exam, felt what I felt, and tell me it was nothing. She didnt say that but I am trying really really really hard to be hopeful. I am reading, gardening, cleaning, and cooking to keep the morbid thoughts at bay. Hang in there girlie! Deb, I do love a nice beef recipe. I can smell it from here! I have nice bone in pork chops marinating in home made basil pesto. They will go on the grill. Brownies are a plan to make also. See? I can keep my mind occupied! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheverly Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Heidi, I hope it DOES turn out to be nothing. Do keep us updated. And brownies... mmmm! I like to undercook them just a tad so they're nice and gooey in the middle. Kat, I've always been in awe of people like you that can look at the needles. I always try, but then start getting woozy and have to look away. I hope the biopsy comes back with the best possible diagnosis. I am continuing to pray for you. :hug: I love your positive attitude and determination to keep on making lemonade! DH just about finished Whitebrush Manor's cabinet over the weekend, and we put it on last night. It looks amazing! I love having it off the floor, too. I was exhausted from my retreat so I didn't get pictures but I will tonight. I'm excited to try some of the photography tips that people gave me in one of my posts! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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